Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), a painful second in the GI Kentucky Derby and a frustrating, beaten favorite in three subsequent efforts at Saratoga this summer, emulated his leading young sire with a victory on the biggest stage of them all in Saturday's GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar.

Using a powerful rally three or four wide in the far turn, Sierra Leone took command in the stretch to win the $6.44 million Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) Nov. 2 at Del Mar.

Sierra Leone, a 3-year-old colt who finished second or third in his previous four races, was ridden into the victory in the Classic by Flavien Prat and is trained by Chad C. Brown for owners Peter M. Brant, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith Westerberg and Brook T. Smith.

After a tough beat in the Kentucky Derby and a summer at Saratoga that left something to be desired, Sierra Leone got an ideal pace setup and a great ride from Flavien Prat to win the Breeders' Cup Cl

Although Peter Brant, one of the owners of Classic (G1) winner Sierra Leone, expressed his desire during a post-race news conference to see him run next year at age 4, the owners are also considering the alternative of standing him at stud in 2025.

As announced last month, Coolmore has secured the breeding rights to Breeders' Cup Classic runner-up Fierceness, having entered into a deal with owner Mike Repole of Repole Stable after the colt won the 2023 Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

One of the best things about 3-year-olds dominating the big races at the Breeders' Cup World Championship races is the likelihood many of them will race on around the world in 2025.

A look at how some of the Classic (G1) runners fared, including favorite and runner-up Fierceness, the day after the event at Del Mar, and possible plans for the future